Awards for the 31st annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 22 – 24 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Glenn Lewis of Springfield, MO judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show, and Jason Harmeson of Lakeside, CA judged the horseshoeing competition.

Almost 40 draft horse exhibitors – traveling from California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho and British Columbia – competed for approximately $30,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during six performances over the four-day event.

The winner of the Ultimate Hitch competition was David and Patsy Cunningham of Meadowlake Belgians, from Carlton, OR.

Susan McCarty of Live Oak Belgians, Upper Lake, CA, and Crystal Newborn of Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, CA, were recognized as the outstanding lady drivers, accumulating high points to both win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Cheryl Pritchett, an honor bestowed upon her by the voting of fellow teamsters. Pritchett is from Wilton, CA. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Rick Newborn of Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, CA; and Josh Albrecht of Durham, CA, won the Youth of the Show award.

In the Halter Show, the Overall Supreme Champion horse was shown and owned by Lawrence McGibbon of Carlaw Clydes, based out of Cranbrook, British Columbia. Carlaw Clydes also received the Supreme Champion Gelding and the Supreme Champion Matched Pair awards. Bulah, a Percheron owned by Crown Over Cross Percherons of Upper Lake, CA, and shown by Dana DiRicco, was awarded the Supreme Champion Mare.

The winner in the 2017 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Kurt Fisk of Bend, OR; and the Live Best Shoeing winner was Michael Deleonardo of Salinas, CA.

At the Harvest Fair, with more than 1,000 items entered, People’s Choice winners include Owen Strolle in the Produce Character category; Heidi Cook for Artistic Corner; Denise Durham for Floriculture; Nancy Brown for Scarecrows; and Katie Savage for the Youth/Teen category.

At Art at the Classic, which featured more than 30 artists, the Best of Show winner in Painting was Yvonne Bonacci, and the Best of Show winner in Sculpture was Ingrid Smith. The People’s Choice award went to Elizabeth Hendrix for “Teamwork.”

A complete list of 2017 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, is here.

The 2018 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 20 – 23. Tickets will go on sale May 1, 2018.

In preparation for KVMR Celtic Festival and Marketplace, September 29 – October 1, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will be closed to walkers and bicyclists beginning Wednesday, September 27. The Fairgrounds will re-open its gates to walkers and bicyclists as usual on Tuesday, October 3. This closure does not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours.

The RV Park at the Fairgrounds will also be closed to the public from September 29 through noon on October 2.

At various times throughout the year the grounds are rented by organizations for large, community events like the Strawberry Music Festival, the California WorldFest, and the Bluegrass Festival. During these times, it becomes necessary to close the grounds to pedestrians in preparation for these various events.

We love our walkers! This little cutie was out enjoying a walk at the fairgrounds with her grandparents. As her Mom said, “Thank you for making the Fairgrounds open to the public.” You are so welcome, and we’re so happy to see our youngest generation enjoying the beautiful grounds! Photo by Janelle Clawson Quentmeyer.

That’s a wrap for the 2017 Draft Horse Classic. Thank you to all the exhibitors, vendors, artists, musicians, sponsors, and attendees for making the Classic a success. Of course, a huge thank you to the stars of the show – the beautiful draft horses. The winner of the Ultimate Championship Six Up Competition was Meadowlake Belgians! See you all in 2018 (September 20 -23).

When visiting the Draft Horse Classic this week, be sure to stop by and get a piece (or two) of homemade pie from the KARE Krisis booth. All proceeds raised from the pie sales benefit the local KARE Crisis Nursery. Enjoying homemade yummy pie while supporting a community organizations is a win win!

Majestic draft horse performances, breathtaking competitions, and seeing a Draft Horse “up close” are all part of the festivities at the 31st Annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 22 – 24, at the beautiful Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six different performances by the Draft Horses, this event has become the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States. The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.

In between the performance classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts the CalCrush Clydesdales, California Cowgirls, chariot and chuck wagon races, an acrobatic equestrian production that incorporates aerialists and Roman riding, the Bobby Kerr Mustang Act, and the CHP Mounted Patrol Unit.

Also taking place at the Fairgrounds during the four days of the Classic is the Harvest Fair. Although there is a charge for the Draft Horse performances in the arena, admission to the Harvest Fair is free so all can enjoy the many activities of the Harvest Fair on the Fairgrounds. Visit the grounds to enjoy musical entertainment, a Western Trade Show with vendors selling wares, the Harvest Fair agricultural competitions and community exhibits, a horseshoeing demonstration, and Art at the Classic. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the draft horses.

During the Harvest Fair, you can also enjoy the Western Music Fest with ongoing musical entertainment beginning at 11 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Friday evening from 4:30 – 6 pm, don’t miss James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash; and on Saturday from 4 – 6 pm, Left of Centre and the Country Artists Tribute to Jason Aldean takes the stage. All music at the Western Music Fest is free, so stop by the Fairgrounds, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the music at the Pine Tree Stage. You can even catch a draft horse performance after each concert.

Tickets to the Draft Horse performances are on sale now. You can choose from six different performances or purchase a season ticket for all six. Performances are Thursday, September 22, and Friday, September 22, at 6:30 pm; Saturday, September 23, at 10 am and 6:30 pm; and Sunday, September 24, at 10 am and 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217, by visiting the Fairgrounds Office on McCourtney Road, or ordered online. There is a small transaction fee if you order your tickets online. All tickets purchased after 5 pm on Wednesday, September 20, are an additional $4 per ticket.

This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 22 – 24 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento.

James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash will be featured on the Pine Tree Stage this Friday from 4:30 – 6 pm as part of the Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair activities at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The musical entertainment is free, so stop by the Fairgrounds, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the music! You can even catch a draft horse performance afterwards! For a complete list of musical entertainment, visit here.

Happening all four days at the Fairgrounds during the Draft Horse Classic, September 22 – 24, is the Harvest Fair at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

The Harvest Fair features everything from an art show to special exhibits, musical entertainment, a Western Trade Show with vendors selling wares, delicious food, horseshoeing demonstrations, and tours of the barns to meet the draft horses. Although there is a charge for the draft horse performances in the arena, admission to the Harvest Fair is free so all can enjoy the many activities at the Fairgrounds.

Tickets to the Draft Horse performances are on sale now. You can choose from six different performances or purchase a season ticket for all six.

This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 22 – 24 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. For draft horse tickets or more information regarding the free Harvest Fair, call (530) 273-6217 or visit here.

Didn’t get a Jobs Daughter corn dog at the Fair? Good news! Jobs Daughters will be selling corn dogs at the Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair this Thursday through Sunday. Get the popular corn dog without the long lines.

We’re excited for the 3rd Annual Farm Day, happening on Thursday at the Fairgrounds! We’ll have almost 700 kids from area schools on the grounds to learn about agriculture in Nevada County, meet lots of animals, and, of course, meet some draft horses. Thank you to the Nevada County Resource Conservation District, the Nevada County Farm Bureau, and Bear River & Nevada Union FFA students for making this day possible!